Here at The Shepherdess we are busy preparing for Shop Hop 2013 (link to official site click here.) We are filled with excitement as we put the finishing touches on our featured pattern and we hope you are going to love this one! The yarn is ‘oh so yummy’…. I’d love to tell you all about it…but you’ll have to wait. This is our third year participating in the shop hop and we hope this will be the best one yet. Plan to spend some time here.

You’ll find The Shepherdess in quaint downtown Anoka, filled with old world charm. Walking into our shop is like stepping into the past. From the tin ceiling and creaky wood floor to the natural fiber yarns, spinning wheels and friendly service, we are all about good, old fashioned quality. If you like wool, cotton, alpaca and silk yarn you’ll love it here. We have lots of samples to inspire you and a cozy lounge to browse our pattern and book collection. Besides the wonderful yarns, we also specialize in spinning fibers, wheels and looms. We teach knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving classes and host regular gatherings for knitters, weavers and hand spinners.

While you’re here, be sure to try our line of natural skin care and cleaning products all made right in our store filling the air with aromatherapy and filling our guests with a sense of well being. Almost every day someone says, ” this feels like home, I don’t want to leave”. We’ll be waiting to see you soon,

Saturday before last (as well as last Saturday) was a bit dreary, but certainly not in the shop. The beginning knitters were proudly showing off their swatches! It is exciting to teach new knitters.

Happiness is learning how to knit! Notice the students picked yarn for their scarves.

Speaking of knitting, I made a short video on the Russian Join. It is a great way to splice yarn, especially cotton, for your summer knitting. It was fun to do and I hope it helps those of you that want to give this technique a try —>Movie on 2012-04-28 Russian Join

I missed the Spin-In on Saturday. I was not far away at Rum River Scout Camp teaching Dutch oven cooking. The rain let up long enough for my class. No soggy coals or cobbler! Back to spinning…I hear there has been lots of it lately at the shop. There are wheels, spindles, and fiber, and everyone knows how healthy a good dose of fiber is for a body! Shepherd’s Harvest (http://www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org) is this coming weekend.

I dug into my stash recently and used some of my handspun cotton for Urchin, by Ysolda Teague (found in Knitty (knitty.com), Fall 2007). It is a great little garter stitch pattern, it does not take much yardage, and it is a good way to use the Wrap and Turn technique (aka short rows).

As of late, some of you may have heard the talk circulating about change coming to Shepherd’s Choice. It’s true – the plastic surgeon has arrived to downtown Anoka, and we are in for quite the facelift! Make sure to check up on us while we undergo this fabulous transformation.

And incase you are needing a little refresh for yourself, why don’t you try…

That time of year has come again – the Yarn Shop Hop! We’ve been very busy getting ready for this spectacular event, and knitters, do we ever have a surprise in store for you! Shepherd’s Choice will be carrying a local artisan’s new line of hand-dyed yarn that is just drop-dead gorgeous, you won’t believe the colors. And of course, we had to design a special piece to showcase the beauty of this fiber, so make sure you check out our project bags when you swing in! Also, please remember to bring along any food or cash donations to help out the local food shelves. See you soon!

More information about the Yarn Shop Hop, visit: http://minnesotayarnshophop.com

Those two lovely words â€“Â Spring Time. Itâ€™s what puts that extra hop-in-our-step and â€œsqueakâ€ in our clean when getting our homesteads ready for another busy year! From washing your house windows to scrubbing out the inside of your car, Shepherdâ€™s Choice has a great solution that will consolidate your long list of supplies down to one bottle. You-betcha!

We present to you our Tea Tree & Lavender Organic Cleaner!

For those of you who are reconsidering the harsh chemicals allowed into your home, this product consists of all natural ingredients and still maintains an antibacterial quality. The Tea Tree and Lavender oils function as the antibacterial and antifungal agents that leave you with such a euphoric experience, you will never want to quit cleaning!

Lavender and Tea Tree Blossoms

The following is a list of how Shepherdâ€™s Choice Organic Cleaner will enrich nearly all of your cleaning endeavors:

1. General Cleaning:Â Add 1 teaspoon to a gallon of warm water for floors, walls, and other general cleaning. Add Â½ teaspoon to a spray bottle for wiping down countertops, appliances, etc.

2. Bathroom:Â Drizzle a small amount around the rim of your toilet, scrub and flush. Spray down bathtub and shower to prevent mold. Add a few drops to the bath tub to prevent soap rings.

3. Laundry:Â Add 2 teaspoons for a top loader, and 1 teaspoon for a front loader.

4. Delicates & Wools:Â Use 1 teaspoon in a gallon of warm water. Soak and rinse.

5. Stains:Â Apply full strength with a rag to remove ink and other stains by rubbing the surface and rinsing.

6. Removing Gum & Tacky Substances:Â Rub a few drops onto soiled area, add water and work the substance out of your carpet, clothing, hair, etc.

7. Produce:Â Add 3 drops to a gallon of water, soak fruits and vegetables for 10 minutes, scrub and rinse.

8. Garden:Â Use 1 part cleaner to 2 parts water, spray on roses and other plants to eliminate insects.

9. Pets:Â For bathing, massage approximately 1 teaspoon into wet fur and rinse. Add 1 drop into water dish to keep it clean.

10. Humidifier & Radiators:Â One tablespoon will keep them clean and prevent rust.

Stop by our shop in downtown Anoka to pick up your bottle! We offer 4, 8, and 32 oz. This product is also available on our website atÂ www.shepherdschoice.com.